Special Service and Features
India recognized as a ‘Rising Economic Force’ in the world under the leadership of PM Modi: MoS L Murugan
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MoS Dr L Murugan inaugurates concluding ceremony of ‘VanijyaSaptah -Trade and Commerce Week’ in Chennai
Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Dr L Murugan said that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is recognised as a ‘Rising Economic Force’ in the world and the relentless reforms in the field of exports has been showing the results. He said this in his address after inaugurating the concluding ceremony of ‘Vanijya Saptah-Trade and Commerce Week’, today in Chennai.
Dr Murugan said that the government under PM Modi believes in reforms, and ease of doing business and this is clearly seen even in the field of export promotion and export related reforms. The Department of Commerce is promoting exports through its SEZ policy and the EOU  Scheme, where the only focus is on exports and both the policies were well received in Tamil Nadu.
The Minister noted that Tamil Nadu has 49 operational SEZs with 500 plus working units, which are spread over the state and these SEZs have brought in the much-needed employment and positive cascading economic impact in state. The Export Promotion Schemes like, SEIS, RoSCTL, TMA, and EPCG are also helping the exporters in a big way.
Citing that Tamilnadu is currently third largest exporting state of India, Dr Murugan said that the export potential of the State is tremendous. Automobiles from Chennai region, Poultry industry of Namakkal, Textile industry of Thiruppur-Coimbatore, Leather products from Vellore and many other products from various parts of Tamilnadu have a great scope to diversify, and boost up the exports. The Districts in each State are now becoming the focus for Export Promotion. This will not only bring economic impetus to the districts and rural Tamilnadu, but will also generate the much-needed employment at the local level. There is a need for converting each district into a potential ‘Export Hub’. With this vision, the ‘District as Export Hubs’ initiative of the Government of India was put into action and has been implemented in Tamil Nadu.
Speaking about the departments of Fisheries and Animal Husbandry and dairying, the Minister said that India is the 4th largest marine products exporting nation in the world, constituting about 17-18% of agricultural exports from India. He said that to boost the marine sector, the Government of India launched the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana  at an estimated investment of Rs 20050 crores. The scheme envisages enhancing fisheries exports to Rs 1 lakh crore by 2024-25 from Rs 46662 crores. He urged the youth and citizen of Tamilnadu, to make good use of this scheme.
Minister also said that recognizing the potential in seaweed farming in transforming the lives of coastal communities, SHGs and women, the first Multipurpose Seaweed Park in India was established in Tamil Nadu.
Underlining that Tamil Nadu has all the ingredients required to be a top export hub, he urged the industry to grab this opportunity, increase the range of our products, diversify the export destination, step up the value ladder, and never compromise with the quality of the product. He said that the product which is exported, not just carries the name of the brand, but it also carries with it the reputation of Tamilnadu and India as well.
The Minister said that Reform, Perform and Transform is the new mantra, Atmanirbhar Bharat is the vision and Vocal For Local is the action point under the government led by PM Modi. He said that following the footsteps of V.O. Chidambaram Pillai who led the Swadeshi movement - whose 150th birth anniversary is being celebrated - PM Modi announced Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Vocal For Local during the 75th year of Indian Independence. New sectors are being identified and promoted for their export potential. Local region-specific products, textiles, toys having the flavour of the region, are promoted to find a global market.
Congratulating all the stakeholders for making the week-long celebration a great success, Dr Murugan said that the ‘Trade and Commerce Week’ has been celebrated all over the country from 20/09/2021 to 26/09/2021 to commemorate the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of India’s Independence – Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
The ceremony which was held at MEPZ SEZ in Tambaram, Chennai was attended by Addl. DGFTDr MK Shanmugam Sundaram, Joint DGFT Smt. F D Initha and representatives of various industry bodies.
Addl DGFT Dr MK Shanmugam Sundaram felicitating MoS Dr L Murugan
Joint DGFT Smt. F D Initha felicitating MoS Dr L Murugan